Planning Part 10 - Days Eight through Ten Ottawa

 At the end of day seven we will land in Ottawa, where we intend to stay for three days. Clearly our nation's capital is an important stop on any journey focused on our cultural history. But it is also a chance for respite from the rigors on the road, to catch up on the necessities of life (laundry, restocking supplies and sleeping in), and most importantly, to visit with friends and family.

Central Ottawa, Main Attractions

While the intent is to be less structured about our city visits, there are several absolute must do's for Ottawa, of which a tour of Parliament Hill and walk along the Rideau Canal top the list for obvious reasons. While we are in the area, there's lunch at Byward Market, or at least a stop for a Beaver Tail; and perhaps a jaunt over the bridge to Gatineau to visit The Canadian Museum of History. Also within walking distance is the Royal Canadian Mint.

While these sites are topping the list, there are literally dozens of museums and sites to visit in the city including:

• Canadian War Museum
• National Gallery of Canada
• Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum
• Notre Dame Basilica
• National War Memorial
• Canadian Museum of Nature
• Canada Aviation and Space Museum

In addition to Ottawa's regular attraction, a number of events and installations in honour of Canada's 150th have been planned across the city. You can find out more about these activities at the Ottawa 2017 website.


Finally, our visit to Ottawa wouldn't be complete without paying homage to personal history as well. Jason has family roots in the city. His mother and aunt were born and raised there, and his paternal uncle lived his adult life there. More interesting, his grandmother has a special connection to Beechwood Cemetery (the National Cemetery of Canada) - having both been born and buried there. Her parents (Jason's great-grandparents) were custodians of the burial ground and its park-like surroundings, and as such lived on site. As was customary at the time, his grandmother was born at home (on the cemetery grounds). After a long life in the Ottawa region, she was finally placed to rest there as well. So on top of learning more about Canada's history, I hope the boys can learn a bit more of their history as well.